Battle of Black Mingo

The Battle of Black Mingo Creek on September 28, 1780 was Francis Marion's first major engagement and established his reputation as the 'Swamp Fox' — the elusive Patriot commander whose guerrilla tactics made him one of the most effective partisan leaders of the entire war. Marion's swamp fighters attacked a Loyalist force under Colonel John Ball at Black Mingo, a crossing on the eponymous creek.

Marion had assembled about 52 men — an extraordinarily small force — but used surprise and darkness to overcome the disparity in numbers. The attack on the Loyalist camp achieved complete surprise, the sudden intense fire causing the defenders to break quickly. Ball's force of about 60 was driven off with losses including horses and supplies that were desperately needed.

The victory at Black Mingo demonstrated Marion's tactical style: strike fast, take what is needed, and disappear into the swamps before a larger force can be brought to bear. Marion would repeat this formula dozens of times over the following two years, denying the British control of the South Carolina lowcountry despite never commanding more than a few hundred men. His campaign tied down thousands of British troops who could not catch him and could not safely leave him in the field.